When you turn the key nothing happens, doesn’t try to turn over, no clicking, nothing. All electrical devices are working fine (radio, lights, wipers), and the engine light doesn’t come on. This has happened before a couple of other times, but usually after trying a few times it does start. This time we have tried several times and still nothing.

Please help

txgreasemonkey

It has the appearance, at this point, of possibly being a battery or starter poblem. First, however, take a test light or multi-meter and check all under-hood and under-dash fuses. Next, clean battery terminals and connections and ensure the battery is fully charged. Then, try and start the engine. Let me know if it at leasts cranks.

If it "cranks but won't start," then answer the following three questions:
1. When you turn the ignition switch to ON (not START), does the Check Engine Light (CEL) come on and then go off after 2 seconds?
2. When the CEL goes out, do you hear (or feel) the main relay "click"?
3. During the 2 second interval that the CEL is on, do you hear the fuel pump in the gas tank run?

sfinan

Forgot to mention that it is a 1.5L w/ a manual transmission

Battery cables are good, even tried jump starting. All fuses tested fine.
The distributer was replaced 3-4yrs ago, the battery 2yrs ago, ignition was replaced more than 5yrs ago.

It doesn't even try to crank. When I turn the ingnition I hear a click under the dash, the pump does come on for the second or so and then that's it. I do hear a second click, but I think that it is when it tells the pump to turn off. The engine light comes on when I try to start and then goes off within the 2sec. When I just turn it to on, not start, all lights come on including engine and then goes off in less than 2sec.

txgreasemonkey

Sounds like you have a bad starter.

sfinan

I guess it's off to the parts store for a book, starter, and relay. why must this always happen on a Sun. when it's 20degrees out

txgreasemonkey

Remember to disconnect the neg. battery, before removing the starter.

sfinan

found the starter started to look for a # on it and the B&W wire fell off, so I re-connected it and the car started right up. Hopefully that's all it was if not I'll buy a new starter. Thanks for all the help

txgreasemonkey

Yes, the BLK/WHT wire goes to the "S" Terminal on the starter solenoid. The other larger cable is the starter cable, which goes to the "B" Terminal on the solenoid. When installing the starter cable, make sure that the crimped side of the ring terminal is facing out. It's a good idea to clean this important terminal with #240 abrassive cloth and coat with silicone dielectric grease. Similarly, do the same to the BLK/WHT wire and "S" Terminal.